Pakistan urged to act after Indian ban
POA chief wants government interference to stop.
KARACHI:
Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President General Arif Hassan has urged sports authorities in the country to clean up their act and get serious following the ban handed out to India by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“The ban clearly says that the government should stop interfering in POA matters,” Hasan told The Express Tribune. “We’ve requested the IOC to give us time while ensuring them that we’ll resolve the issue of autonomy with the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).”
Indian athletes hope for change
Meanwhile, Indian athletes have lamented the ban but hope that it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise and lead to a clean-up of the organisation.
The ban means an effective end to funding from the IOC, no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics.
“This is unfortunate, as a sportsperson, I feel like I have been orphaned,” shooter Joydeep Karmakar told Reuters. “It’s a big blow to us. At the same time, I’m optimistic it will lead to a new body which would be more efficient and more responsible.”
‘Asif, PBSA deserve credit’
The POA chief also paid tribute to recently crowned snooker world champion Mohammad Asif despite not being given the required funding.
“The IPC and PSB didn’t support Asif when he needed them but now since he has become world champion, everyone is taking in the praise,” said Hasan. “Credit must only go to Asif and the snooker body.”
It should be mentioned here that the IPC is yet to release the annual grants for sports federations despite the budget having been approved five months ago. In addition, they did not cooperate with Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) in releasing the special grant for the IBSF World Championship which Asif won.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2012.
Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) President General Arif Hassan has urged sports authorities in the country to clean up their act and get serious following the ban handed out to India by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“The ban clearly says that the government should stop interfering in POA matters,” Hasan told The Express Tribune. “We’ve requested the IOC to give us time while ensuring them that we’ll resolve the issue of autonomy with the Inter-Provincial Coordination (IPC).”
Indian athletes hope for change
Meanwhile, Indian athletes have lamented the ban but hope that it will turn out to be a blessing in disguise and lead to a clean-up of the organisation.
The ban means an effective end to funding from the IOC, no Indian officials attending Olympic meetings and Indian athletes banned from competing at the Olympics.
“This is unfortunate, as a sportsperson, I feel like I have been orphaned,” shooter Joydeep Karmakar told Reuters. “It’s a big blow to us. At the same time, I’m optimistic it will lead to a new body which would be more efficient and more responsible.”
‘Asif, PBSA deserve credit’
The POA chief also paid tribute to recently crowned snooker world champion Mohammad Asif despite not being given the required funding.
“The IPC and PSB didn’t support Asif when he needed them but now since he has become world champion, everyone is taking in the praise,” said Hasan. “Credit must only go to Asif and the snooker body.”
It should be mentioned here that the IPC is yet to release the annual grants for sports federations despite the budget having been approved five months ago. In addition, they did not cooperate with Pakistan Billiards and Snooker Association (PBSA) in releasing the special grant for the IBSF World Championship which Asif won.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 6th, 2012.